Hat blocking machine



6 l@ w 6 4 e 7 u.. 7 Y 4 2 Rn E e t mm N m N Q TL. W ehu V` T 3 wv 0 NHT 6 S Inf. A 2 m 5. w M J s /r n T". W .o 1 5 m May 19, 1953 J sARNELLEHAT BLocxING MACHINE Flled Jan l0, 1950 May 19, 1953 J. sARNELLE2,639,064

HAT BLocxING MACHINE A TTPNE Y yam/Qu;

Patented May 19, 1953 UNITED STATES OFFICE i 2,639,064v- I HAT BLOCKINGy Joseph .Sarnelle,ll`lewvork, N. Y

Application' Jafllual'ylo, 1950, Serial N0. 137,691

1s claims. (o1. zes-i2) This invention relates to hat blocking machines.

An object of this invention is to provide a highly improved machine ofthe character described having means for blocking brims of hats having awelted edge or a thickened edge known to the trade as a Cavanaugh edge,without damaging said edge.

Another object of this invention is toprovide a machine of the characterdescribed comprising a stand, a top steam jacket mounted on the standfor sliding movement up and down, a foot pedal for depressing the topsteam jacket, said stand being provided with a pair of `vhorizontalrails, a bottom steam jacket slidably mounted on the rails from aposition beneath the top steam jacket to ka position offset from'saidtop steam jacket, a steam pot attached to the underside of the bottomsteam jacket, means to feed steam to thevtwo steam jackets and to thesteam pot, said topand bottom steam jacketsbeing formed with centralthrough openings, a kmember mounted on the upper side of the bottomsteam jacket and having a top wall formed with a central opening Itoreceive the brim of thehat thereon, with the crown of the hat projectingdownwardly from the 'opening in said top wall, and projecting throughthe opening in said bottom steam jacket and into the steam pot, saidmember having a skirted wall extending downwardly from the top wallthereof, and formed with an outwardly extending bottom ange contactingthe top of said bottom. steam jacket, and said top wall of said memberbeing formed at its outer periphery with an annular groove to receivethe thickened edge of the brim of the hat, a ring surrounding saidskirted wall of said member and adapted to rest on said flange whendepressed, spring means to raise said ringr above said iiange and aplate attached to the underside of said topfjsteam jacket and adaptedtomove downwardlyupon depressing said top steam jacket `for depressingsaid ring and pressing. the brim of the hat. against said top wall. i

Anotherobject of this invention is to provide in a machine of thecharacter described a counterbalanced lever hinged to the stand, saidlever being formed with ahandle for depressing the lever and meansvonthe lever for pressing ahat block within the crown of the hatdownwardly.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter described so arranged that whenthe levervis released it "will.swing upwardly by means of -a counterweight and the topsteam/ jacketwillbe raised byl springs 2 whereby to permit the steam pottogether withthe bottom steam jacket and said member and ring tobe yslidably .movedon the rails forwardly of the stand on the rails whereby the hat thereinmay beremovedv and another hat replaced for another blocking operation.`1 f Still another objectof this invention is to provide a strong,durable device of the characterdescribed which shall be easy tomanipulate, relatively inexpensive .to manufacture and which shall yetbe practical and efficient to ay high degree in use y l Other objects ofthis invention will in vpart be obvious and in part hereinafter pointedout.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations-ofelemnts, and arrangement of parts, whichy will beyexemplied in the construction hereinafter described, and of whichl thescope of invention will be indi-` cated inthe following claims. y

In the accompanying drawings `in Whichis shown various'illustrativeembodiments of this invention,

, Fig. 1 is 'a side elevational view of a machine embodying theinvention and showing the bottom'steam jacket, steam pot, presser memberand ring pulled forwardly of the machine in position for replacing ablocked hat with another hat to be blocked;

. Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine taken on line 2.-2 of Fig. 1; f

Fig. 3 is a top plan view .of the machine shown inFig.1; j Fig. 44 isacross-sectional view' taken on line 4- 4 of Fig..1;

Fig. 5 is across-sectional view taken on line 5-f5 of Fig. `1;y

Fig. 6 .is a view similar to Fig. 5 .and showing the top. steam jacketand the plate attached to its underside depressed againstfthe brim ofthehat lin blocking position and showing the block vithin the crown of thehat depressed` by the ever; i

Fig. '7 is a partial view similar toFig. 6 and illustrating a modifiedconstruction;

Fig. `8 is a perspective View illustrating the stfam connection for thesteam jackets and steam lig. 9 isa topplan view of the presser member;an

Fig. l0 isa top plan view of thetop presser member. f j f i Referringnow in detail to the drawing, I0` designates a hat blocking machineembodying the invention. The samecomprises a stand Il. .Said

stand II comprises a pair of similar symmetrically disposed side membersI2. Each comprises a front leg,T I3 and a rear leg I4 of angularcrosssection. rl'he front and rear legs are interconnected by lowerT-shaped braces I5 and upper angle shaped braces i6 and top angle shapedbraces I1. The top braces I1 each has a top Wall I8 extending inwardlyand a flange I9 extending downwardly from the top Wall. The flanges I9are each formed with outwardly extending vertical lugs 28 each formedwith a through opening EI. Extending forwardly from the top wall I8 toeach of the side members I2 is a vertical Wall 22 from which extendsinwardly ahriaontal ila-nge 23 having a horizontal upper surface 2 4.Extending rearwardly from the rear leg portions I4 are apertured ears 25locatedat `4the1'lev`e1'o'f the braces 5E. The side members I2 areinterconnected by a front brace 26 attached tothe front legs I3 anddisposed above the braces I5 and below the braces i6. v'-Ihe upper endsf the rear legs E4 are interconnected bya cross'brace member 38 havingforwardly offset legs 3I` bolted to. the stand and int'erconnectedby aAweb` 32 spaced rearwardly of the sta-nd'.A Exteding`upwardly from thecenterof the web 3 2 is a`verti` cal arm 33 for the purpose hereinafterappearing. Attached to the center of the front braces 26 and extendingdownwardly therefrom is an upper end S4 of a ratchet member 35. Saidratchet member 35 has a front arcuate portion 36 formed with ratchetteeth 31. Said member'is'furthermore formed with a centrallongitu'din'all slot 38.

Mounted on and between the'apertured ears 25 is a horizontal transverseshaft 40."-` Pivoted to the middle of the shaft 40`is a rear end 4I of aforwardly extending lever'42-Wh`ich passes through the slot 38. Thelever extendsforwardly of the machine and is formed with afoot'pedal 43at its forward end.; Eivoted'to the 'lever 42 as at 44 is a pawlmember'45. The 'pawl member 45 has a pawl 46 curved upwardly andinwardly and adapted to engage the teeth 31of the ratchet member 65.`The vteeth 31 are so arranged that the foot lever 42 may 'be'depressedupon pressing down with thefoot on the pedal 43, yExtending from thepawl 46 forwardly and'alongside the lever is an arm '48 formed withafoot pedal 4 9 normally slightly above the lever of the foot pedal 43.Interconnecting'the pawl '46 with the lug 50 on the lever is a coilcorrlpressioiiY spring 51 which passes through' the slot landnormallypresses the pawl 46 against the ratchet member 35. When it is desired tolower the lever the foot pedal 43 need merely be pressed'downwardly andthe pawl 46 will ride over the-teeth 31, when pressure is relieved fromthe foot pedal 43 the lever 42will'rernain in any position to which itis depressed'as` the spring 5I will pull the pawl 46 'into engagementwith one of the teeth 31. The pawl 46 maybe disengaged from the teeth 31by depressing the pedal 48 to permit the lever 42 to be raised in themanner hereinafter appearing.v :f f

The lever al2 is formed at a point between the front and rear legs I3and 4I4 with a through opening 52. Extending from the opening 5 2 is apin 53 projecting to opposite sides of the lever. Engaging theprojecting portions of said pin are the lower ends of a pair of parallellinks 54. Said links 54 are formed with openings at their lower endsengaging the pin 53. They are also' formed at' their upper ends withaligned openingsl 55 through which extends a cross pin 56. Engaging theportion of the crosspin 56 between' the links 54 is a counter-member 51which extends upwardly and has a screw threaded portion 58 at its upperend receiving a nut 59 screwed thereto for the purpose hereinafterappearing.

Extending through the through openings 2| in the lugs 20 are verticalconnecting rods 6I). There are four connecting rods 60 as will be seenfrom the drawing. The lower ends of the connecting rods 6 1) areattached ,to the four corners of a cross-'head 6i. The cross-head '6Imay have inwardly curved front and rear portions 82 and 63 respectivelyand inwardly curved side portions G4. It is also formed with a centralweb 65 interconnecting the front and rear portions 62 and 63. VTheAcross web 65 as well as the front and rear side portions are ribbed forstrength. At the `center of the 'cross-head 65 is a boss 66 formed witha central through opening through whiclrthe connecting rod 51 passes.The nut 59 contacts the top of the boss 66. Surrounding the portions' ofthe connecting ro'd 60 which pass upwardly above the lugs 2U are coilcompression springs' 51. ASi'ipport'ed on the'upper ends of 'the`springs il andv guided bythe rods 68 is a top steam jacket 1U. The topsteam jacket IIJ has atop wall' 7I, "a bttom wall 12, yan inner ovalwall 13,' outer side Walls 14;"and outer 'end' walls 14a forming steamchamber 15; u'Between the walls 1I.' 12, 13, 14 Vand 14a', extending`outwardly from th'e'side'wialls14 are lugs' 16 formed with verticalthroughA openings 1l" throilghwhich' the vertical connecting rodGli'pas's'es. The lugs'18 rest o n the upper ends of the springs 61.Surrounding the portionsof -the"ve'r'tic'al connecting rod 68above-the'lug's* 1 6 are coll compression springs 18. The'upper ends ofthe rods 68'are screw threaded asat 1 8 nd'screwed'thereto are wing nuts'80." The top 'stearh'chaniber 10'thus Y .r n l.. A*It will now beunderstood that when the foot is pressed upon pedal 48 the paw/146 isfirst released and continued downwardly'pressure on the foot"' pedal '43lwill cause the rods 6D 'to be lowered through' the leverV 42, links 54,connecting 'rod 5" I`and the"connecting"rods 68. Downwardly pressure onth'e connecting rods 68 will press the wing n'uts "88 downwardly v'topress springs T8 which in tuin will press downwardly on theears 1 8 fordepressing th'top'stain cham'- ber 418. When Vthe' foot 'is Vslipped'oif the pedal 48, the pawl A46 will be engaged with one of the teeth 31to'retain the top steam jacket in depressed condition. In vorder toraise the top steam jacket the foot pedal 48 4is depressed and the lever42 allowed tobe raised bythe springs 81. The rear walls uaof' the topsteam jacket 1o is formed with a pair of screw threaded openings 10minwhich are secured 4a pair of 'pipe plugs' 10b and 18e for the purposehereinafter appearing.

Fixed to thetigep vsurfalt'e' 2'4 and inwardly 'extending flanges23'in"a`n'y'sui table manner are a pair Vof parallel A'horizontal'guiderails 8| which extendV forwardly 'of"th'e 'machine 'Slldably mounted onsaid side rails 8| is a bottom "steam jacket 82. ASaid bo'tt'in'steamjacket 82 has a top wall 83 and bottom wall 84,'a `n inner oval wall 85,outer side walls "8'6 ,`a front Wall 8 1and a rear wall 88. Between th'ewalls 83, 84, 85, 86', 81 and 88 is a 'steam chamber 89. Therear` wall88 of the steam chamber'is formed with'screw threaded openings lintowhich are screwed 'pipe plugs 8| and 92 for the purpose hereinafterappearing. Extending downwardly from the side walls 88 arcguidemember-'S83 engaging the 'tops and outer sides lof the 'rails 8|.' Thebottom 'steam smaad-e4 jacket 82 may be moved from a position directlybeneath the top steam jacket to a position forwardly of the machine andentirely clear of the stand I I. Attached to the underside of the steamjacket 82 is a steam pot 94. The steam pot 94 has a bottom wall 95, anannular upstanding wall 96 and a top flange 91. Any suitable means maybe provided` for attaching the flange 91 to the underside of the bottomwall 84 of said bottom steam jacket 82, as by screws, bolts, or in anyother suitable manner. The top of the steam pot 94 communicates with thecentral opening in the bottom steam jacket 82, and conforms to saidopening. The bottom wall 95 is formed with a drain opening and withinlet opening |0I.

Attached to the top of the bottom steam jacket 82 is a hat brim pressermember |04. 'I'he member |04 has a top wall |05 formed with a centraloval opening |08 to receive the crown of a hat mounted thereon with thecrown projecting downwardly. Extending downwardly from the outer end ofthe top wall I is a skirted wall |01 of oval shape and extendingoutwardly from the skirted wall |01 is a flange I 08 resting on the topwall 83 of the jacket and screwed or otherwise attached thereto in anysuitable manner. The member |04 may be made of aluminum if desired. Atthe outer periphery of the top surface of the top wall |05 is an annulargroove I I0. It will now ,be understood that a hat H may be mounted onthe presser member |04 with the brim B of the hat resting on the topsurface of the top wall |05 and with the crown C of the hat projectingdownwardly through the opening |08, through the central opening in thebottom steam jacket 82 and into the upper end of the steam pot 94. Thehat H may be of the type which has a Cavanaugh edge. The Cavanaugh edgeis a thickened edge at the upper periphery of the brim. This edge whichis designated in the drawing by the letter E nts within the groove I I0.The ange |08 may be formed in its upper surface with a plurality ofscrew threaded openings I for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Slidably mounted on the skirted portion |01 of member |04 is an ovalshaped ring ||2 formed in its upper surface with a plurality ofcountersunk openings I I3 coaxial with the threaded openings I I. Thering I l2 is formed in its end edge with a plurality of countersunkopenings I I4 registering or coaxial with the countersunk openings I I3.The ring I I2 is furthermore formed with reduced through openings ||5interconnecting the coun tersunk openings ||4 and IIS and coaxialtherewith. Screwed to the threaded openings I II are the lower ends ofbolts IIS which pass through the openings |I5. At the upper end of eachbolt IIG in a socketed head I I1 of the Allen bolt type. The head I|1 isdisposed within the countersunk opening |I3. Surrounding the shank ofthe bolt and between the ange I 08 and the underside of the countersunkopening I4 is a coil compression spring II8.

It will now be understood that the upper ends of the springs I8 projectinto the sockets I 4 and serve to raise the ring I2 above the uppersurface of the top wall |05 of member |04. However the ring I|2 may bedepressed thereby pressing springs IIB. As the ring ||2 is depressed theheads I I'I of the bolts I I6 move through the countersunk openings II3.

Attached to the underside of the top steam jacket 'I8 as by means ofscrews |20 is a top presser plate I2I which has a central oval opening|22. When the foot pedal is depressed to lower the top steam jacket theplate I 2| depressesthe ring ||2 until. it contacts the top of the brimof the hat in the position in which it is mounted on the machine. Whenthe brim is thus depressed the edge .E being disposed within the grooveI 0 will not be crushed or damaged in any way. vDue to the pressure andthe heat in the steam jackets the brim of the hat will be blocked.

The crown block |23 made of wood or any other suitable Imaterial may beinserted into the crown C of the hat H.

Means is provided for pressing the block dow into the crown of the hat.To thisend there is attached to the arm.33 a Abar |24 having an upwardlyand inwardly inclinedportion |25. Pivoted to the upper end of saidportion' |25 as at |26 is the rear end of a lever |21. Said lever |21 isformed with upwardly and rearwardly inclined arm or flange |28 on whichis mounted a counterweight |28 for-normally raising the lever.

'I'he lever |21 has a forwardly.extendingI handle |30. Pivoted tothelever |21 as at |3IV is a member |32 having` a bottom .plate |33 smallerthan the opening in theplate" I2 I.. Extending up wardly from the plate|33 `are a pair of bosses |34 to which are screwed screws |35 which maybe adjusted to contact the lever |21. When the lever |21 is depressedthe plate |33 will contact the top surface of the block .|23 and pressthe block into the crown of the hat. A spring clip may be attached tothe top wall of the lower steam jacket 82 for receiving an arrowheadshaped downwardly projecting tongue |4| attached to the lever forretaining the lever in downwardlydepressed position. When the lever israised the plate I33wi1l be raised therewith. It will be noted that theplate I 33gmoves through the central opening in the upper steam jacket.

Meansisprovidedfor supplying steam to the upper steam jacket v10, lowersteamjacket 82 and steam pot 04` and for draining the steam therefrom.To this end there is provided a steam inlet pipe which may pass from thestand. The steam pipe |50 is horizontal and extends forwardly as .shownin vFig. 8 of the drawing. Attached to the front end of the steam pipe|50 is an elbow |5| contacted by a valve |52 which may be controlled bya handle |54. Connected to the valve |52 is a pipe |53. The pipes |50.|53 may be metal. Attached to the rear end of the pipe |53 by a suitablecoupling |54 is a flexible conduit |55 connected in any suitable mannerto the inlet opening |0| of the steam pot. The outlet opening |00 of thesteam pot is connected by an elbow |56 to the T-shaped tting |51. TheT-shaped fitting is connected by conduit |58 to a drain. Connected tothe inlet pipe |50 is a T- shaped tting |50, one branch of which isconnected to a flexible conduit |6| connected in any suitable manner tothe pipe block 10c, thus admitting livesteam to the upper steam jacket10. The pipe block 10b on the steam jacket 10 is connected by a.flexible conduit |62 to the inlet 92 of the steam jacket 82. The outlet9| vof the steam jacket is connected bya pipe |53 to the T- shaped tting|51 thus draining steam from the lower steam jacket. Attached to thefront wall 81 of the lower steam jacket 82 is a handle 81a to permit theoperator to move the lower steam jacket and steam pot and members |04and ||2 on the rails from the full line position of Fig. 1 to the dottedline position thereof, and back to the full line position thereof.

In Fig. 7 there is illustrated the use of the machine herein forpressing hats having brirns with welted outer 'edges instead of with 'athickened edge as shown in Figffi. When pressing a hat with a weltededge with the welt either turned over the brim or under the brim it .ismerely necessary to place above fthe tcp wall |85 a fiat plate i1 eformed with a central opening which registers with the opening |06 inthe top wall |115. The plate |10 has an outer edge |12 which registerswith the outer surface 'of the skirted wall 101. Thus theouter'periphery of plate| IB covers the groove i in the top wall |05. lhFig-7 there is shown a hat H which has a crown G and a brim B. The brimB has a welted outer edge W which rests on 'the plate |70. When theupper steam jacket is depressed the plate |2| presses 'down on the brimof. the hat and the welted edge is pressed against'the 'plate |18. Thesame operation can be accomplished should the welted edge W be turned inagainst the underside of the brim B'.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention 'are achieved and which is welladapted to moet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be .made

'of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in theembodiment above set forth,

forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as'illustrative and not in a limiting sense.`

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A hat blocking machine comprising a stand, rails attached tothestand; and extending therefrom, a spring supported upper lsteam jacketslndably mounted o'n'lthe stand for up and down movement, a lower steamjacket slidably mounted on said rails and sl'dable imma position infrontof the stand to a position overthe stand and below the upper steamjacket, a steam pot fixed to the underside of the vlower 'steam' jacket,.said lower steam jacket 'being 'formed with a central through openinglcommunicating with Vthe interior 'ci' the steam pot, a hat brim pressingYmember on the top of the lower steam jacket, said pressing member beingprovided with' a top wall formed 'with a central opening so that 'thebrim of the hat may be placed on'saidtop 'wall with the crown of the hatprojecting downwardly through the central opening in said top wall andthrough the central opening of the lower steam jacket and into the upperend of the steam pot, said presser member being further formed withaskirted wall extending downwardly from the outer end of said top walland with an outwardly extending flange at the lower end of said skirtedWall and 'a ring sldably mounted and surrounding said skirted wall,spring' means interposedbetween the ring and said frange for resiliehtlyurging the ring upwardly, and 'a' plate iixed to the underside of thetop jacket and means for lowering the top steam jacket for pressing thevring downwardly toward the iiange whereby said plate will press againstthe upper surface of the brim on said top wall.

2. A hat blocking machine comprising a stand, rails attached to thestand, and extending therefrom, a spring supported upper steam jacketslidably mounted on the stand for 'up and down movement, a lower steamjacket slidably mounted on said rails and slidable vfrom 'a position iniront of the stand to a position over they stand and below the uppersteam jacket, 'a steampot fixed to the underside of the lower Steamjacket, said lower steam jacket being formed with a central throughopening communicating with the interior of they steam pot, a hat brimpressing member on the top of the lower steam jacket, said pressingmember being provided with a top wall formed with a, central opening "sothat the brim of the hat may be placed on said top wall with the crownof the hat projecting downwardly through the central opening in said topwall and through the central opening of the lower steam jacket and intothe upper end of the steam pot, said presser member being further formedwith a skirted wall extending downwardly from the outer end of said topwall and with an outwardly extending flange at the lower end of saidskirted wall and a ring slidably mounted and surrounding said skirtedWall, spring means interposed between the ring and said flange forresiliently urging the ring upwardly, and a plate fixed to the undersideof the top jacket and means for lowering the top steam jacket forpressing the ring downwardly toward the flange whereby said plate willpress against the upper surface of the brim on said top wall, and meansfor limiting upward movement of said ring relative to said flange.

3. A hat blocking machine comprising a stand, rails attached to thestand, and extending therefrom, a spring supported upper steam jacketslidably mounted on the stand for up and. down movement, a lower steamjacket slidably mounted on said rails and slidable from a position infront of the stand to a position over the stand and bea low the uppersteam jacket, a steam pot xed to the underside of the lower steamjacket, said lower steam jacket being formed with a central throughopening communicating with the in terior of the steam pot, a hat brimpressing member on the top of the lower steam jacket, said .pressingmember being'provided with a top well .formed with a central opening sothat thebrim of the hatv may be placed on said top wall with the crownof the hat projecting downwardly through the central opening in said topwall and through the central opening Aof the lower steam jacket and intothe upper end of the steam pot, said presser member being further formedwith a skrted wall extending downwardly from the outer end of said topWall and with an outwardly extending flange at the lower end of saidskirted wall and a ring slidably mounted and surrounding said skirtedwall, spring means interposed ce tween the ring and said iiange forresiliently urging the ring upwardly, and a plate fixed to the undersideof the topjacket and means for lowering the top steam jacket forpressing the ring downwardly toward the flange whereby plate will pressagainst the upper surface of the brim on said top wall, and means forlimiting upward movement of said ring relative to said flange, alever'pivoted to said stand and means to press the hat block placedwithin the crown ofthe hat on said pressing member downwardly againstsaid crown.

4. A hat blocking machine comprising a stand.. rails attached to thestand, and extending therefrom, a spring supported upper steam jacketslida ably mounted on the stand for up and down movement, a lower steamjacket slidably mounted on said rails and slidable from a position iniront of the stand to a position over the stand and be*- low the uppersteam jacket, a steam pot fixed to the underside of the lower steamjacket, said lower steam jacket being formed with a central throughopening communicating with the -in aesaoefi;

9,3 terior of the steam pot, a hatl brim pressing member on the top ofthe lower ysteam jacket, said pressing member being provided with a topwall formed with a central opening so 4that the brim of the hat may beplaced. on `.said ltopywall with the crown of the hatprojectingdownwardly through the central opening in said top'wall andthrough the central opening of the low-er steam jacket and into theupper end of thesteam po.tsaid presser member being further formed 'witha skirted wall extending downwardly from. the outer end of said top wallandwith an outwardly extending flange at the lowerend of said skirted.

said pressing member downwardly againstsaid crown, and means forcirculatings tearn through the upper steam jacket,vlower steam, jacketvand steampot.

5L A hat blocking machine comprising a stand, rails attached to thestand,vand extending vtherefrom, a spring supported. upper steam jacket.slidably mounted on the stand forV up and down movement, a lower steamjaketslidably mounted on said rails and slidable tromba position infront ofthe stand to a position over they stand `and below the uppersteam jacket, .a steam pot nxed to the underside of ,the lowerrsteamjacket, said lower steam jacket being formedl with a centralthrough opening communicating with the interior of the steam pot, a hatbrim pressingmember on the top of the lower steam jacket,` said pressingmember being provided witha top wallrormed with a central opening sothat the brim of the hat maybe placed onrsaid ktop wall with the crownof the hat projecting downwardly ythrough the.

central opening in said top walland through the.

central vopening of the lowersteamjacket and into the upper end of thesteam p ot, said presser member being further formedwith a skirted wallextending downwardly from the outer end ofsaid top wall and with anoutwardly extending ange at the lower end of said skirted ywall and yaring slidably mounted and 4surrounding said skirted wall, springmeansinterposed between the ring and saidilange for resiliently urgingthe ring upwardly, and a plate fixed to the underside Uof the `topjacket and means kfor v,lowering the. top

steam jacket for pressing the ring downwardly toward the flangewherebysaidplate lwill press against the upper surface of the brimfonsaidtop wall,r said top, wall being'formed adjacent its periphery with agroove adapted to receive a thickened edge at the periphery ofthebrim ofthe hat. .1

6. In a steam blocking machine, `asteamjacket formed with a centralthrough opening, a steam pot attached to theunderside of the steamjacket, the upper end of thepot connecting y,with the opening rin thesteam jacket, a presser r plate mounted -on the steam yjacket andhavingatop wall spaced abovethensteam jacket andformed with a central openingregistering with the vopening in thev steam 4j ackel', bsaid,y presserplatehaving Skirts@ ...Well extending d??wmvaltdlr; from. the

top wall and being further formed with a llangeV extending outwardlyfrom the lower end of said skirted wall, said top wall being formed withagroove at its periphery, a ring surrounding said` skirted wall andbeing slidably mounted thereon.

for movement in the direction of the axis of said presser member, springmeans for normally urging thering upwardly, a top steam jacket above thebottom steam jacket, a plate iixed to the;

underside of the top steam jacket, and means for moving the top steamjacket downwardly wherebyv said plate will depress the springpressedring and move toward the top wall of the presser member.`

7.,. In a steam blocking machine a steam jacket formed with a centralthrough opening, a steam pot attached to the` underside of the steamjacket,v

skirted wall, said top wall being formed with a groove at its perpihery,a ring surrounding said skirted wall and being slidably mounted thereon.for movement in the direction of the axis of said4 presser memberyspring means for normally urging the ring upwardly, a top steam jacketabove,

thebottom steamjacket, a plate fixed to the;

underside of the top steam jacket, and means for;-

moving the top steam jacket downwardly whereby said plate will depressthe spring pressedring and move toward .the top wall of the pressermember, and means for supplying steam to the. bottom steam jacket, topsteam jacket and steam.

pot.

8. Ina hat blocking machine a presser member having a top wall formedwith a central open-, ing adapted to receive the crown of a hat with thebrim ofthe hat contacting said .top wall, said presser member having askirted wall ex, tending downwardly from the top wall and being furtherformed `with a flange extending outward-, 1 lyfrom the lower end of saidskirted wall, a ring;` surrounding the skirted wall and being slidablymounted thereon, compression springs interposed, between .they ring andsaid ange, said top wall.

being formedat its periphery' with a groove all around to receive athickened edge of the brim onsald top wall.-

9.. In a hat blockinginachine a steam jacket. formed with a centralopening, a steam pot at, tached to the underside of the steam jacketand, communicating with the central .opening inthe. steamVjacket,fafpresser member fixed to the top.

of the steam jacket, said presser member having a tcp wall formedv withan opening through which,

the crown ofv a hat may pass downwardly from-v the ,opening yin thevsteam jacket and yinto said pot with the brim of the hat contacting theupper surface of the top wall, said presser member hav ing an annularwall extending downwardly. from the top .walL a ring surrounding saidannular wall and being slidably mounted thereon, and. spring means. toraise thering Aalcove the upperI surface of the topwall, said spring.`means being. interposed between. the. ring and, said .presser member. yt.. W y

l0. In a hat blocking machine a steam jacket formed with acentralopening, a steam potiattached to the underside of vthe steam jacket and.communicatingwith the central opening. inthe-A and being slidablymounted thereon, said spring. 1-0..

means interposed between said ring and said an.- nular wall. to raisethe ring above the upper sur. face of.l the top wall, and a top steamjacket above. the bottom steam` jacket and means for resilientlypressing the top steamjacket downwardly to de- 15.

press said ring andf to clamp` the brim of the hat aga-inst said topwall.

1.1.-. In. a hat blocking machine a. steam. jacket formed. with. acentral opening, a steamv pot attached totheunderside of the steamjacket and 20.

communicating with the central opening in the steam jacket, a pressermember nxed tothe. top. oty the steam jacket, saidpresser member having.aA topl wallrformed with an opening through. which thecrown. ofxa hatmay-pass downwardly froml 25A the opening-.inY the steam jacket and intosaid pot with the brim of. thehat contactingv the upper surface-ofthetop wall,l saidpresser member having an annularv wall. extendingdownwardly A'from thetop wall; a. ring surrounding said annular wall; 30and beingslidably. mounted thereon, and spring means interposedbetweensaid ring and flange. to raisetheringabovethe upper surfaceoi the top`wall, and atopsteamjacket above the bottomsteam jacketand-means forresiliently press-.. 35 ingithe..topsteamjacket downwardly to depresssaid ring-andto clamp the brim of the hatagainst said=.top.wall, saidtop wall. being: formed with4 a groove at the junction of the Lippersurfaceiof. thetop wally and the outer surface .ofi theannular 40 wallto.receive -a-thickened edge .at the periphery.` of.the brim of i the hat.

12v Ina hat blockingy machine. anV upstand. ing..stand, horizontalrailmeansonthe stand, a,bottom-steam jacket' slidably` mounted. on said.rail-means and'V movable from a position over thel stand-toa positionspacedv forwardly oflthev stand., said: steamujacketbeing formedwithacentral: opening, asteampot attachedto thev underside .of.thelbottom steam jacket and com, municatingwiththecentral opening.therein, 21.50 presser. memberon the..bottomu steam jacket, a. ringsurrounding said presser member and slidablyv mounted thereon l for. upand down movement, compression-.spring means interposed.. between-the..ring and thel ybottom steam jacket, a topsteamjacket mounted for.sliding. up and down movement on the; stand, said topsteam` jackethaving.v a. centralv opening, a. plate at tached to, the. underside 'ofthetopy .steamjacket 601A of .saidv skirted wall;

said tophsteam, jacket having an inlet. and'v an outlet, said .bottomsteam jacket.. having .an inlet andtanoutlet, and said:steam pot having.an, inletand an outlet, means for feeding live. steamV tothe -inlet ofthe steam pot,v means. for.l drain 65,

attached .toA the .underside .of. the .bottom steaml 75,

jacket and communicating with the centrut opening in the steam jacket, apresser member having a top wall formed witha centralopening. and spacedabove the bottom steam jacket, an. annular skirted wall extending fromthe outer end o1 thev top wall and a flange extending downwardly fromthe lower end. of the skirtedwall', said top wall having a central`opening wherebyI the brim of a hat may be placed onl said topwall4 withthe crown of the hat projecting through the central opening therein,through the central opening in the bottom steam jacket and into' theupper end of the-steam pot, an` annularringsurrounding and slidablymounted on said skirted; wall, said annular ring being .formed initsupper end with a pluralityy ofdownwardly extending socketsv and itslowerl endl with a plurality-y ot upwardly extending sockets alignedywith-the first. mentioned sockets, said ring. being formed withlvertical throughl openings interconnecting` thetop and bottom sockets,pins attached to said flange and passing through theI bottom' meketeandthrough said other openings and' into` thetop sockets, heads at` theupperv ends ofl saldi pins, and coil compression springssurroundinglsaid-pins and interposed betweenA the flange andv the ring andprojectinginto saidbottom sockets.

14. In a hat blocking'machine astearn-.jacket formed with a centralopening, a steampot' attached to the underside'of the bottom steamjacket'and communicating with the central open ing in the steam jacket,apresser-member havingV atop wall formed with acentral opening and`spaced above the bottom steam jacket, an annular skirted' wallextendingA from theouter endof' the top ywall anda flange extendingdownwardlyl from the lower end ofthe skirtedy wall, said top wallhavingv a central openingwhereby the brim` of a hat mayY be placed onsaid top wall with the crown of the-hat projecting through' the centralopeningftheren; through thecentral opening in the-bottom` steam jacketand into theupper endof the-steampot, anannular ringsurrounding andslidablymounted on said skirted wall, said annularring being-formed Ainitsupper with vertical through-.openings interconnecting.

the. top and bottom. sockets, pins` attachedV4 to said flangeI andpassing.` throughl thebottom sockets and througlrsaidother openings-'andinto the top sockets; heads-at. theupper endsof..sadpins, andcoillcompressionsprings sur rounding saidpinsy and interposed. betweenthe ilangewandrthe ring and projecting intosaid bottom sockets,- said,-top 'wall .being-formed with a peripheral groove-at thejunction of-theupper surface of thetopy walland theoutersurfaceI 15'. In.- ahatblockingsmachine a-.steam jacket formed with. acentral opening, a.steampotat-v tached-.to4 the. underside; of. the bottom-steam jacketand communicating with the centralopening. in. vthe steam. jacket, a..presser member having .a .top wall formedwith al central openingand.spaced 4above-the. bottom-steam jacket; an. annular skirted wallextend-ing'vfrom th'oouter o, end.y of the-top Walland' afiange'extendingdownwardly. from the lower' endof theskirted -wall,'-said top wall havingffay central opening --whereby the-brim ofa hat maybe-p1aced"on`said `top wall'withthe crownof' theh'at projecting throughthe central"openingY thereimthrough2 the central' opening in the bottomsteam jacket and into the upper end of the steam pot, an annular ringsurrounding and slidably mounted on said skirted Wall, said annular ringbeing formed in its upper end with a plurality of downwardly extendingsockets and its lower end with a plurality of upwardly extending socketsaligned with the rst mentioned sockets, said ring being formed withvertical through openings interconnecting the top and bottom sockets,pins attached to said ange and passing through the bottom sockets andthrough said other openings and into the top sockets, heads at the upperends of said pins, and coil compression springs surrounding said pinsand interposed between the flange and the ring and projecting into saidbottom sockets, said top wall being formed with a peripheral groove atthe junction of the upper surface of the top wall and the outer surfaceof said skirted Wall, a top steam jacket above the bottom steam jacket,a plate iixed to the underside of the top steam jacket, means forslidably moving the top steam jacket downwardly so that said plate willfirst depress the ring and then clamp the brim of the hat against thetop wall of said presser member.

16. In a hat blocking machine a steam jacket formed with a centralopening, a steam pot attached to the underside of the bottom steamjacket and communicating with the central opening in the steam jacket, apresser member having a top wall formed with a central opening andspaced above the bottom steam jacket, an annular skirted wall extendingfrom the outer end of the top wall and a flange extending downwardlyfrom the lower end of the skirted wall, said top wall having a centralopening whereby the brim of a hat may be placed on said top wall withthe crown of the hat projecting through the central opening therein,through the central opening in the bottom steam jacket and into theupper end of the steam pot, an annular ring surrounding and slidablymounted on said skirted wall, said annular ring being formed in itsupper end with a plurality of downwardly extending sockets and its lowerend with a plurality of upwardly extending sockets aligned with theiirst mentioned sockets, said ring being formed with vertical throughopenings interconnecting the top and bottom sockets, pins attached tosaid flange and passing through the bottom sockets and through saidother openings and into the top sockets, heads at the upper ends of saidpins, and coil compression springs surrounding said pins and interposedbetween the flange and the ring and projecting into said bottom sockets,said top wall being formed with a peripheral groove at the junction ofthe upper surface of the top wall and the outer surface of said skirtedwall, a top steam jacket above the bottom steam jacket, a plate xed tothe underside of the top steam jacket, means for slidably moving the topsteam jacket downwardly so that said plate will first depress the ringand then clamp the brim of the hat against the top wall of said pressermember, a stand, means on the stand to support said topsteam jacket forsliding movement, and rail means on the stand slidably supporting `saidbottom steam jacket, steam pot, presser member and ring for movement ina direction at right angles to the direction of movement of the topsteam jacket.

17. A hat blocking machine comprising in combination, an upright stand,a top steam jacket oatingly mounted on the upper portion of said standfor up and down movement relative thereto, said top steam jacket beingformed with a central opening, horizontal rail means on said stand andbelow said top steam jacket, a bottom steam jacket formed with a centralopening therein, and slidably mounted on said rail means and movablefrom a position directly beneath said top steam jacket to a positionspaced forwardly of said stand, a presser member on the bottom steamjacket and formed with a central opening for inserting a hat thereinwith its crown extending downwardly into the central opening of thelower steam jacket and the brim contacting the upper surface of thepresser member, a hat block above said top steam jacket, and pivotallymounted to said stand for downward movement through the central openingof the top steam jacket and into the crown of the hat, means forlovering the top steam jacket to press the hat brim when said bottomsteam jacket is directly beneath said top steam jacket, and means forsupplying steam to said top and bottom steam jackets and to said crownof the hat.

18. A hat blocking machine comprising in combination, an upright stand,atop steam jacket floatingly mounted on the upper portion of said standfor up and down movement relative thereto, said top steam jacket beingformed with a central opening, horizontal rail means on said stand andbelow said top steam jacket, a bottom steam jacket formed with a centralopening therein, and slidably mounted on said rail means and movablefrom a position directly beneath said top steam jacket to a positionspaced forwardly of said stand, a presser member on the bottom steamjacket and formed with a central opening for inserting a hat thereinwith its crown extending downwardly into the central opening of thelower steam jacket and the brim contacting the upper surface of thepresser member, a hat block above said top steam jacket, and pivotallymounted to said stand for downward movement through the central openingof the top steam jacket and into the crown of the hat, means forlowering the top steam jacket to press the hat brim when said bottomsteam jacket is directly beneath said top steam jacket, means forsupplying steam to said top and bottom steam jackets and to said crownof the hat, and means surrounding said presser member to aid in liftingsaid top steam jacket.

JOSEPH SARNELLE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 881,509 Waring Mar. 10, 1908 1,103,096 Stevens July 14, 19142,213,094 Shildhans Aug. 27, 1940

